Defining and Classifying Groups
Notes:
1. A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives.
2. Groups can be either formal or informal.
• Formal groups—those defined by the organization’s structure, with designated work assignments establishing tasks
a. The behaviors that one should engage in are stipulated by and directed toward organizational goals.
b. An airline flight crew is an example of a formal group.
• Informal groups—alliances that are neither formally structured nor organizationally determined
a. Natural formations in the work environment in response to the need for social contact
b. Three employees from different departments who regularly eat lunch together is an informal group.
3. It is possible to sub-classify groups as command, task, interest, or friendship groups.
• Command groups are dictated by the formal organization.
a. The organization chart determines a command group.
b. Composed of direct reports to a given manager
• Task groups—organizationally determined—represent those working together to complete a job task.
a. A task group’s boundaries are not limited to its immediate hierarchical superior. It can cross command relationships.
b. For instance, if a college student is accused of a campus crime, it may require communication and coordination among the dean of academic affairs, the dean of students, the registrar, the director of security, and the student’s advisor.
c. All command groups are also task groups, but the reverse need not be true.
• An interest group. People who affiliate to attain a specific objective with which each is concerned.
a. Employees who band together to have their vacation schedules altered
b. Friendship groups often develop because the individual members have one or more common characteristics.
c. Social alliances, which frequently extend outside the work situation, can be based on similar age or ethnic heritage.
• Informal groups satisfy their members’ social needs.
a. These types of interactions among individuals, even though informal, deeply affect their behavior and performance.
b. There is no single reason why individuals join groups.
c. Exhibit 8-1 summarizes the most popular reasons people have for joining groups.
Notes:
1. A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives.
2. Groups can be either formal or informal.
• Formal groups—those defined by the organization’s structure, with designated work assignments establishing tasks
a. The behaviors that one should engage in are stipulated by and directed toward organizational goals.
b. An airline flight crew is an example of a formal group.
• Informal groups—alliances that are neither formally structured nor organizationally determined
a. Natural formations in the work environment in response to the need for social contact
b. Three employees from different departments who regularly eat lunch together is an informal group.
3. It is possible to sub-classify groups as command, task, interest, or friendship groups.
• Command groups are dictated by the formal organization.
a. The organization chart determines a command group.
b. Composed of direct reports to a given manager
• Task groups—organizationally determined—represent those working together to complete a job task.
a. A task group’s boundaries are not limited to its immediate hierarchical superior. It can cross command relationships.
b. For instance, if a college student is accused of a campus crime, it may require communication and coordination among the dean of academic affairs, the dean of students, the registrar, the director of security, and the student’s advisor.
c. All command groups are also task groups, but the reverse need not be true.
• An interest group. People who affiliate to attain a specific objective with which each is concerned.
a. Employees who band together to have their vacation schedules altered
b. Friendship groups often develop because the individual members have one or more common characteristics.
c. Social alliances, which frequently extend outside the work situation, can be based on similar age or ethnic heritage.
• Informal groups satisfy their members’ social needs.
a. These types of interactions among individuals, even though informal, deeply affect their behavior and performance.
b. There is no single reason why individuals join groups.
c. Exhibit 8-1 summarizes the most popular reasons people have for joining groups.
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